Sectional field shelter



Oct 23, 1951 B. KEKLEN ETAL SECTIONAL FIELD SHELTER 2 SHEETS--SHEET l Filed April 3, 1950 Gttornegs Oct. 23, 1951 B. KEKLEN ErAL 2,572,732

SECTIONAL FIELD SHELTER Filed April s, 195o 2 SHEETS- SHEET 2 BEN KEKLEN 8|A EDGAR A. DROTNING Snventors 'I B2 6 p YM (Ittornegs Patented ct. 23, 1951 sEoTIoNAL FIELD snEL'rER Ben Keklen and Edgar A. Drotning, Seattle, Wash.; said Drotning assigner to said Keklen Application April 3, 1950, Serial No. 153,674

8 Claims.

Our invention relates to sectional field shelters for personnel in a game of sport, as for instance football; and includes a bench formed of a plurality of seats and a canopy formed of a'plurality of sections, designed for quick assembly and disassembly, for occupying little space in storage, and for economical yet sturdy construction.

Few devices have hitherto been constructed for shelter for the personnel in a game of sport, like football or soccer, not on the playing field. The sporting events often occur in most inclement weather, as for instance, in cold weather, on windy days, and during rain or snowfall as well as warm days when shade is desirable. Open benches are usually employed and no protection afforded other than the rather recent use of parkas with hoods.

.The protective facilities in these sports are in contrast to the concrete dugouts of baseball. Permanent protective structures are not usually employed in sports like football, probably because the playing eld in a stadium or the like is used for many kinds of sports, as for instance track, and the space where the players sit in football is utilized as a broad-jumping or pole- Vaulting area, it not being desirable to dig up the main playing eld with its green sward for jumping pits and paths for jumping. A baseball field, on the other hand, is built primarily for baseball and accommodations are designed for that purpose, some not using the field for other sports and the dugouts not interfering with other sports as they are usually in one corner of the field adjacent the stands. It is not practicable to have dugouts under the stands for football as the extra players need to be convenient for substitution, on the fty yard line or thereabouts. Sectional field shelters with seats and a canopy will be convenient even outside of the eld of sports, as for instance, construction operations, temporary bus stops and the like.

In the convenient storage of any type of knockdown seats or the like, it is always important that the seats occupy only a small space in storage. Various parts of the structure should t together in order that the articles may be stored in less room than the outlines of the assembled structure.

It is also desirable that the units be easilyv manufactured with a minimum of parts and a minimum of operations of manufacture because the shelter will not meet a ready sale if too much expense is incurred. At the same time, the structure must be very sturdy to stand outside useV and assembly and disassembly. The canopy of the shelter should be substantially watertight for rainy weather.

It isv an object of our invention, therefore, to provide a sectional field shelter capable of protecting personnel in a game of sport, when not on the game eld, against various kinds of outdoor conditions. The shelter should include a bench and a weather-proof canopy over the bench. The bench and canopy must be in units of convenient size, weight and shape for ready assembly, occupying an economical amount of storage space and being easily handled.

It is a further object to design the units of the structure to be comfortable for the users and y yet be sturdy and economical of materials and manufacture. At the same time the shelter should be of attractive design.

The method 'by which the foregoing objects are met, in brief, is as follows: al bench is formed by a plurality of seats, each seat being cut from a sheet of metal and bent to form a top portion, a supporting sidewall at each side with inwardly turned lower edges and a back wall between the sidewalls. The seats are positioned side by side and may ibe secured together as by bolts. Each seat is preferably wide enough for two persons, for economy of structure. A wider seat would require stronger material or additional means of support. Two concave portions of the top of the seat contribute to the comfort of the structure and serve to space the persons sitting on the seat. The top portion has a downwardly curved forward edge to add to the attractiveness and comfort of the seat.

The canopy is formed by a plurality of sections, each section being cut from a sheet of metal and bent to extend from behind the bench, up and then curving above the bench, the lower portion being secured to the backwall of an adjoining seat as by bolts. The adjoining sides of the sections are formed, one with an edge extending away from said bench forming a tongue, and the other side shaped to form a groove to fit over said4 tongue. Rigidity to the structure may be added by having the eye-bolts to secure the canopy to the backwall of the seat and having stakes running through said eye-bolts and into the ground.

Upper means of securing adjoining sections of the canopy together is obtained by having bolts running through the sides of said groove and through said tongue.

Endwalls are positioned on each end of said canopy, having either a groove or a tongue on the upper edge to join with the tongue or groove of the end sections of the canopy.

A perch for a coach or for spotters is formed to replace several sections of the canopy, there being a platform and supporting legs and the sides of the perch below the platform being formed, one with a tongue and one with a groove to join with sections of the canopy on either side. A seat, with or without a canopy, may be positioned on the platform. An elevated seat enables a coach or spotter to obtain a better View of the action on the eld, yet is in a position where there is convenient cornrr`1u nicaticnY with the personnel not on the playing eld.

Our invention will be better nnderstood when the following description is read with ,referenceto the attached drawings, in which; a

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a device embodying our sectional eld shelter, including a bench and canopy;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a coachs perch to be positioned between sections of said canopy, a seat on said perch being partially shown in dotted lines and a stair f oraccess to said perch being shown in-dotted lines in the background;

Figure 3 is an enlarged elevational view, fragmentary and partly in section, showing the means of securing endwalls to adjacent sections of said canopy and securing adjacent sections;

Figure 4 is a plan view of a sheet member from which a section of the canopy is shaped, showing in dotted lines where the tongue and groove are to be formed;

Figure 5 is a plan view of a sheet member from which a seat is shaped, showing in dotted lines where the backwall, sidewalls, and turned-inends of the sidewalls are to be formed;

Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view, fragmentary andV in exploded form with certain portions of non-proportional size, of means for securing the lower portion o f the canopy to the backwall of. the Sears and. means for .Staking the structure to the ground;

Figure 7 is en, elevational View?. partly in Seetien, of. the canopy and Seat.. eenstrueterr. With. a player seated upon the seat; and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspeetive View showing a modified form of forward edge for the canopy sections.

Referring to Figure 1, our sectional field shelter has two major portions, a canopy IQ and bench I2. Bench I2 is formed by a plurality of seats I4. 'I'hese seats may be formed in many shapes, but the preferred form is depicted, it being comfortable, sturdy, attractive and eGonomical.

The seat I4 is preferably cut from a sheetl of metal I4', as depicted in Figure 5. The top portion I6 joins with the. backwall I8' and sidewalls extend from either side of backwall I8. Top portion I6' is folded, as by pressing, in relation to backwall I8, at dotted line '2Y so that the portions are at right angles one to another. Sidewall 20' is folded in relation to backwall I8 at dotted lines 2,4 so that Athe portions are at right angles one to another andthe upper edge of sidewall 20' is beneath top portion I6'. The forward upper corner of sidewall 20 is roundedV and tcp portion I6 is bent to conform to that shape, presenting a pleasing line and comfortable edge. The upper edge of sidewall 2U' may be secured toy the underside of top portion I6' as by welding. The lower portion 26 of sidewall 20 .is folded inward at dotted line 28 to form a surface to restb on the ground.

In Figure 7 is shown a formed seat having top portion I6, with curved forward edge 3D; backwall I8; and sidewall 20 with inturned edge 26. Each seat is preferably wide enough to seat two players, this being about as Wide as practicable without using very heavy material or additional support. The spacing of personnel on the seats is indicated by twin concave portions in the top I6 as at 3,2.

Seats I4 are positioned side-by-side to form bench I2. The seats I4 may be secured together as by bolts 34 passing through holes 36' in sidewalls 20.

Canopy IIJ is formed by a plurality of sections 38, extending from behind backwall I8, up and then curving about bench I2. Each section 38 is preferably cut from a sheet of metal 38. Sheet 38' is bent, as by pressing, in a gradual curve to form about a right angle, one end portion with another. One edge is bent to form tongue 40 at dotted line 42 and the other edge isformed in groove 45 by bending at dotted lines 46, Figure 3 shows adjacent sections 38 in position, tongue 40 positioned in groove 44. Bolts 48, running through holes in tongue 40 and groove 44, may be used to secure the joinder of sections 3 8.

Sections 38 have holes 50, 5 0 in their1 lower portions and backwalls I8 of seats I4 have corre.- sponding holes 52, 52. Bolts running through said holes secure the sections o f canopy I0 to Seats l2. it beine prefer-red that eyebelts 5.4. and nutsA 56 are used with the eye o f the bolts extending to the rear. When eyebolts 54 are. used, stakes 58 run through the eyes and into the ground to secure the shelter as against wind.

Canopy I D should be no taller than is needed for comfort of players seated therein, so as to not interfere with the view of the playing eld of those seated in stands behind the shelter. With such height the obstruction will no t be much greater than the normal bench.

In Figure 7 the forward edge 5.7 of the canopy sections is shown as being turned under. A modified construction is shown in Figure 8 in which an upwardly rolled edge 59 is formed. The latter formA of construction may be preferred as form-v ing a rain gutter and also. presenting an edge on which a player will not cut his head in bumping the same. A folded edge affords an added rigid-. ity to. the canopy structure.

Endwalls 6E) are positioned on either end of bench I2 and canopy I0. The edges of endwalls 60 outward from bench I2 are formed to join with the sections 38 of canopy I0., as at 62 in Figure 3, and one of the endwalzls 60 has a groove formed by. its edge in which the. tongue. 40 of the. section 38A is positioned. The edge of the other endwall 60 is straight forming a tongue 64 over which is positioned groove 44 of another'` section 38 of canopy I0. Bolts 66 running through end.. walls 6 0, secure. said endwalls to, canopy I B.

To some users of our eld shelter, it may seem desirable to provide ay perch for coaches and spotters above bench t2. The structure` depicted in Figure 2 is e form of peren that may be ern-` ployed.. Platform S8. supported by lees 10, is Positioned between Sections 38 ef,V Cancer Hl. Wallslv 12 at either side have a tongue member- 14 at one side and a groove member 'I5 te jcin with the tongues and groovesY of Yadjoining sections 38 of canopy I0, Platform 68 isy about the same level as the top of canopy |10 and there isv room for bench l2 under thel platform so no, seating room is lost. Access to the percnmay be Qbteined by a portable stairs. as.. is depieterl.

in the background of Figure 2. A seat, or seat and canopy unit, may be placed on platform 68, as is partially depicted in dotted lines in Figure 2.

Those familiar with the game of football will realize that a coach and his assistantvare handicapped in observing the play because of their position on the same level as the playing field', especially as the playing field is raised in the center. In fact, many coaches now employ spotters in the stands, having telephone connection with the players benches, to observe details of play more readily visible from a higher position. A perch, as here described, may iind favor with some as offering a compromise between the need for a higher viewing point and the need vfor constant communication with substitutes and assistants. The view from the perch is comparable to a seat of about twice the height in the stands.

Referring to Figure 1, it will be noted that seats I4 are staggered in relation to sections 38 of canopy I0, the seats being preferably wide enough to Vseat two persons and the sections being an equal width, this overlapping relationship adds to the strength of the structure. When seats I4 are secured together and seats I4 are secured to sections 39 in this staggered relation, some end sections or end seats may have to be of narrow width, as shown in Figure 1.

It is believed that it will be clearly apparent from the above description and the disclosure in the drawings that the invention comprehends a novel construction of a sectional field shelter.

Having thus disclosed the invention, we claim:

1. A sectional field shelter, comprising: a bench formed by a plurality of seats, each seat having a top portion, a supporting sidewall at each side with an inwardly turned lower edge, and a back wall between said side walls, the top portion having a central concavity and having its front edge curved downward; a canopy for said bench formed by a plurality of sections, each section extending from behind said bench, up and then curving above said bench, one of the adjoining edges of said sections extending outward from said bench forming a tongue and the other forming a groove to t over said tongue; means for securing said sections of said canopy to said seats; means for securing adjoining seats one to another; and an end wall positioned at each end of said bench, having an edge shaped to join with the edge of the adjacent section of said canopy.

2. The subject matter of claim 1 in which said means for securing said sections of said canopy to said seats are eyebolts positioned with the eyes of the bolts to the rear; in which there are stakes running through said eyes to be driven into the ground; and in which said sections of said canopy have an upwardly rolled forward edge.

3. A sectional field shelter, comprising: a bench formed by a plurality of seats, each seat having a top portion, a supporting sidewall at each side, and a back wall between said side walls; a canopy for said bench formed by a plurality of sections, each section extending from behind said bench, up and then curving above said bench; means for securing said sections of the canopy to said seats; means for securing adjacent sections of said canopy one to another; and an endwall positioned at each end of said bench and canopy.

4. A sectional field shelter, comprising: a bench formed by a plurality of seats; a canopy for said bench formed by a plurality of sections, each section extending from behind said bench, up and then curving above said bench, said sections having adjoining edges overlapped; said seats being of a width to accommodate two persons; said seats and said sections of said canopy intermediate the ends of said shelter being generally the same width and said seats and sections being disposed in staggered position; means for securing adjoining seats, one to another; means for securing said seats to said sections of said canopy; and said sections of said canopy having an upwardly rolled forward edge.

5. A sectional field shelter, comprising: a bench; a canopy for said bench formed by a plurality of sections, each section extending from behind said bench up and then curving above said bench, one of the adjoining edges of said sections extending outward from said bench forming a tongue and the other forming a groove to iit over said tongue; and bolts passing through the sides of said groove and through said tongue for securing said sections together.

6. A sectional eld shelter, comprising: a bench; a canopy for said bench formed by a plurality of sections, each section extending from behind said bench up and then curving above said bench, one of the adjoining edges of said sections extending outward from said bench forming a tongue and the other forming a groove to fit over said tongue; means for securing said canopy to said bench; and an endwall positioned at each end of said bench and canopy.

7. A sectional field shelter, comprising: a bench; a canopy for said bench extending from behind said bench, up and then extending above said bench; and a perch having a horizontal platform positioned above said bench, said perch being formed as an integral part of said canopy.

8. A sectional field shelter, comprising: a bench formed by a plurality of seats; a canopy for said bench formed by a plurality of sections, each section extending from behind said bench, up and then extending above said bench; said seats and said sections of said canopy intermediate the ends of said shelter being generally the same width and said seats and said sections being disposed in overlapping position; means for securing adjoining seats, one to another; and means for securing said seats to said sections of said canopy.

BEN KEKLEN. EDGAR A. DROTNING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,926,796 Stransky Sept. 12, 1933 1,950,593 Bonnet Mar. 13, 1934 2,537,787 Ramsay Jan. 9, 1951 

